Should You Click and Share That Post?
Deciding What To Click and Share
Covid-19 has taken the internet to new levels. Yes, I guess it was possible. We’ve seen those cellphone video moments of people screaming over mask, coughing on others, throwing mask off displays- you know the ones. I won’t even touch the various political post. You may feel appalled or outraged seeing this content. The knee jerk reaction for many is to click and leave a comment or share. The thing is, should that be our reaction? Should we continue to spread it?
There’s a great article by Andrew Macdonald that discusses how we should handle what we see online. Conspiracy Theories, Engaging Online and Wisdom: The Intersection of the Three and How to Respond Biblically.
Being A Solution Instead of Just Talking About The Problem
Mental health is something we’ve long neglected and this situation that we’re currently in isn’t helping that at all. No, these actions are not excused because of that however it does help explain why it may happen. Instead of reacting to the outburst maybe we should step back and think about the root issue. The fact that this person may have more going on than what we can see. As Christians, maybe we don’t share the content, but we stop what we’re doing, and we pray. We pray for God, who is the only one who fully sees the situation, to guide us for how we should proceed and what we can do to help. We pray for him to hold them close and give them peace. The other side of this is that the constant negativity and ‘fake news’ starts to chip away at our own self and is only giving us negativity. Remember the old theory of ‘garbage in, garbage out’? It applies to the situation as well. Sometimes you just have to step back and turn it off.
The fear that the Covid-19 virus has brought on is very real, and everyone handles it differently. The fact that we were quarantined and that for a month or more in some places there were “stay at home” orders has taken a toll on everyone. We won’t soon forget the toilet paper shortage fears anytime soon. Yes, I’m sure some people were mean beforehand but regardless the current conditions don’t help. Instead of spreading fear and hate, it’s time to come together and pray. It’s time to come together and find creative ways to serve our community. Maybe that’s an encouraging note, maybe it’s a smile as you walk down the street. Maybe that’s not discussing politics and conspiracy theories, but instead breaking bread and inspiring others based on how you live your life.
STRIVE TO INSPIRE
Let your life inspire people to find out how you have joy in the midst of despair. I’m not saying ignore things or that you won’t wonder sometimes if things will be ok. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds it. Choosing to trust isn’t the easiest thing to do. For most of us, it’s not the natural reaction thing to do either. It takes practice and a conscious decision to do. The human connection between us all is very real. Six degrees of separation is more of a legit theory than we want to admit sometimes.
The current environment feels more like every man for himself rather than a sense of community. Since March, we’ve been thrown into what sort of feels like some sort of alternate reality horror flick. It’s time that we realize that we’re all intertwined and what we do affects more than just us.
That retail worker that just asked you to put on a mask? Her mom may be a heart surgeon that saves your aunt’s life. That janitor that you stuck your nose up at? He’s the one that is sanitizing your child’s school to help make sure that everything possible is being done to prevent a Covid-19 outbreak. No job is too big or too small. Without all of us working together things suffer. One person can’t do it all, but individually we can all play small parts that makeup something great.
I’m not insinuating that it’s easy and that it won’t feel like a complete waste of time to choose kindness when it feels like it isn’t making a difference, but I’m just saying; sometimes results from our seeds aren’t immediately seen. This is where faith comes in. Faith that the seeds will grow and create change. So before you click and share that content, stop and think about what you’re re-generating. Is it hope? Is it helpful? Is it just bad that you are giving value to by sharing?
Choose kindness. Choose love.
Need some encouragement? Check out these encouraging quotes!
More Resources for Mental Health during Covid-19
Helping Kids with Worry
Let’s work on being the hands and feet of Jesus rather than the heckling crowd that sits back and watches with comments and theories but no action to make things better.
